Refugee Health

Each year, people from refugee backgrounds settle in Victoria from regions including the Middle East, Africa and South-East Asia, where they have endured conflict, persecution and dislocation from their homes, families and culture.

The health and wellbeing of people from refugee backgrounds, including people seeking asylum, is often affected by their experiences of trauma pre-arrival and during their journey to Australia, along with the many adjustments of resettlement.

Supporting the Victorian health sector

Foundation House has a long history of supporting the Victorian health sector to respond to the on-arrival and ongoing health needs of people from refugee backgrounds.

Our ongoing collaborations with the health sector strive to advance the health, wellbeing and human rights of people from refugee backgrounds.

Victorian Refugee Health Network

Under the auspices of Foundation House, the Victorian Refugee Health Network provides a unique forum which brings together a wide range of representatives from the health, settlement and community sectors who actively pursue better health outcomes for people from refugee backgrounds, including people seeking asylum.

The Victorian Refugee Health Network aims to facilitate greater coordination and collaboration amongst health and community services in order to reduce health disparities experienced by people from refugee backgrounds.

Its vibrant community of primary, tertiary and allied health care workers collaborate on a range of projects and participate in various forums such as state-wide meetings or working groups that influence change in service delivery and policies.

Queries

Victorian Refugee Health Network website

Australian Refugee Health Practice Guide

This comprehensive online resource aims to assist primary health care providers to deliver comprehensive on-arrival and ongoing care for people from refugee backgrounds, including people seeking asylum.

The Australian Refugee Health Practice Guide  provides access to current clinical recommendations and best practice approaches to working with people from refugee backgrounds.